Community colleges get new leader

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges has tapped the president of North Central State College to lead it as executive director.

Ronald E. Abrams' goals including helping the state's 23 community and technical colleges attract more students and boost the state's economy.

Follow the link below to see the association's press release.

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges has tapped the president of North Central State College to lead it as executive director.

Ronald E. Abrams' goals including helping the state's 23 community and technical colleges attract more students and boost the state's economy.

Follow the link below to see the association's press release.

Columbus, OH – Looking to build an even stronger future for Ohio’s community and technical colleges, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges today chose an accomplished leader to serve as the group’s new Executive Director. Dr. Ronald E. Abrams accepted the position at a meeting of the OACC Governing Board today, and pledged to help the OACC expand enrollment throughout the state and enhance the local and state economic impact of Ohio’s community and technical colleges. Dr. Ronald E. Abrams joins the OACC after serving as President and CEO of North Central State College since 1997. During his tenure, he led numerous initiatives at the college including creating the off-campus Center for Advanced Learning, planning and overseeing major renovations to campus facilities, significantly increasing the college’s endowment, and making NC State more accessible to potential students through online learning and outreach. "I am honored to be chosen as the Executive Director of the OACC,” said Dr. Abrams. “Without question, I will miss my work leading North Central State College, and the great community and professionals there. However, I fully appreciate the major role that community and technical colleges can play in transforming Ohio's educational attainment and economic success. I recognize the unique opportunity we have, with Governor Strickland, Senate President Harris, Speaker Husted, and Chancellor Fingerhut all working together to improve the impact of higher education.”

Dr. Abrams will take over for Interim Executive Director Lewis Blackford. Mr. Blackford was a member of the Edison State College Board of Trustees and was appointed Interim Executive Director earlier this year. The OACC engaged in a thorough search for a new executive director. In the end, as the strategic challenges and opportunities for Ohio's community and technical colleges became clearer, the OACC concluded that the situation at hand called for a professional with front-line, Ohio-based community college leadership experience. Therefore they turned to Dr. Abrams, who was drafted for the position and is ready to take the helm at a critical time.

“Dr. Abrams will be an exceptional leader because we need a seasoned, respected community college expert who can work with concerned parties throughout the state to make a real educational and economic difference,” said Larry Porter, Chair of the OACC Governing Board. “His experience and expertise are tailor-made for the challenges that we face and the opportunities that lay before us. These are critical times for Ohio’s community colleges and for higher education in general. The OACC needs a leader who can work with both state government officials and our local communities, someone who can build consensus around the need to protect and expand community college access for thousands of Ohio’s students and adults. We are very confident that we have just such a leader in Dr. Abrams.”

“With a united vision, we can make our colleges the gateway to success for tens of thousands more high school graduates and working adults in the years to come,” added Dr. Abrams. “I look forward to working with colleagues in education, government, business, labor and civic organizations to help create that future success."

The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) represents the collective interests of the state’s 23 community and technical college district boards and their presidents. It is the unified voice of Ohio’s community colleges with executive and legislative interests in both Columbus and Washington, D.C. The OACC is committed to promoting the continued quality, strength, vitality, and effectiveness of its members. The OACC focuses on issues impacting Ohio community and technical colleges, and through dialogue with trustees and presidents, adapts solutions to fit the social, educational, and political landscape in the state.